Blowin Da Bubbl
Registered
DORSETBOY:My personal opinion would be to at least have rescue diver or equivalent, I believe that people should aim to get this even if they are diving with a dm or instructor as an unconcious instructor for example couldnt help you.
And before anyone suggests otherwise... NO I'm not just trying to push the old con-ed!!
Just to explain why I said what I said......
I am extrememely comfortable and was the top student in my class. I also assisted the instructor at times during the class due to how quickly I took to diving and it's skills. My first dive without an instructor or d/m was the same NIGHT!!! and yep I am not certified as a night diver. Also it was to a depth of 85' and my rec limit is supposed to be 40'.I fully expect to be razzed about this but hey read previous post and you will no how I feel about opinions based on assumptions of what one is capable of. Furthermore the following week I was doing work dives for the park rangers at Lake travis to depths of 65' followed by another night dive to 93'.one month and 20 dives later I led a dive to 113'. Bash me if you wish but the best is yet to come. This weekend I intend to take a look at the jail cells at the dam . I believe that should take me to 140' to 160' .W/O aow, rescue, night,oxy admin and the like. I will have 2 very experienced divers there and we may do some deco as well. As I said before it is ones own ability and comfort level that deem what they should get into. It is your own responsibility to weigh your options and decide what is right for you. By all means the fact that this post was began denotes a level of hesitation and un comfort about the lack of d/m or instructor for that individual . But I have had more dives total before aow than tis individual. I was also told to get 25 dives under my belt before proceeding to aow .But that due to my ability this was retracted and I was told he would teach me immeadiately. C-card = licsense to learn . It's not a set of brass balls. nor is it a badge of courage .It is a release form that makes you responsible for your own actions . I can accept responsibility for mine w/o question or an instructor. Good buddies are a plus imho and I wouldn't trade mine for the world.We gel well and if you aint got that you begin to understand why some dive alone . As for me I do not and will not until I aquire a pony tank. For the record I plan on a 30 cube most I know use a 19cube and say I dont need 30 .
The key to personal safety is becomming your own best buddy through redundancy . I understand the science and am extremely comfortable doing what I do . If I wasn't I wouldn't be doing it . So to the rest I say if ya aint comfortable turn ya dive ,dont start the dive and by all means get the false sense of protection sheep get from a sheppard and dive fun dives with an instructor. But when they dont save your but they say it aint there fault . read the mo fatality thread in cave diving.You will also find my opinion on that topic there. Why must all make this seem so difficut ..........
B.D.B.